Trap

I had said I would guard Pektog's village, but that was just to see how he would handle the situation if I weren't there. I left and kept an eye out for things from afar.

When he finished off the majority of the nobles I decided to leave. With my boosted stats and telekinetic augmentation, it didn't take long to get to his village. Where I waited for Pektog's return in the meantime I spoke with Drrak.

'So is it possible, can it be altered that way?' I asked Drrak

'If you want to use it as a power source that may work. But you wouldn't be able to handle all that energy.' Drrak explained

'Don't worry it's just a precaution, so I will most likely be not needing it anyway.' I said calmly

'It will take time but I can make amendments, do you have a timeline?' Drrak responded

'The sooner the better but I've got the time.' I said confidently

As we finished our discussion the goblins came in, some were wounded missing an arm or a leg. Pektog was in sublime condition with minimal damage throughout his body. I could only feel admiration for his power, I had to break my own limits to beat him.

I sat in meditation atop a tree branch parallel to his hut as he walked to it.

"I assume you've completed it," I said feigning ignorance

"I assume you enjoyed the sight," Pektog said with a gleam of intelligence, I knew what he was mentioning I am not sure how but he saw that I kept an eye on the situation

"I did indeed you've done well, in exchange why don't we deal with a tyrant? If you do well, I can even grant you greater power," I said with a smile

"What are you offering then?" Pektog asked innocently

"A fix to your weakness, weapon arts and powerful ones at that," I said with an enticing tone.

"I can't get it to you immediately, but I will get you it soon," I said as I used my magic eyes to examine Pektog. I had noticed his magic potential along with his tribes. Although weak it was there and it was possible to develop that.

"We trust you honored one, we will diligently wait," Pektog said trying to disguise his hope with apathy.

'Another inescapable truth, power is always obtained from others for a price. True power is only obtained when the price is no longer paid.' I thought to myself

"Are you sure they will be dealt with?" I asked Pektog, thinking about my plan.

"They have the blood of goblins on them, and they were forced deeper into the inner forest. Those surviving humans won't have a single chance. Especially that woman and that man they made themselves into perfect targets." Pektog said confidently, afterall the success of this plan was important to him.

I had no proof of a way out of the dream formation without dying. But if there is anything I am sure of, the nobles always have something prepared. Especially the superior nobles, the fact that they wanted to flee proves that. Others may flee from fear but they know they must die eventually.

But the nobles would be more prepared because admittedly they are superior to the commoners. They know more because of their status yet why would they flee?

Although it wasn't much to go on and I may never get an answer. It is still worth the distraction they will provide for me. I must thank Carol and Raynard after this.

"Then lead me to this Dahziekt the Demolisher," I said as I radiated a monstrous killing intent.

"Will we be needing troops?" Pektog asked

"Of course bring everyone with any combat ability. Follow my commands and you will be in control." I said in a commanding tone

As we spoke a strange sight appeared, the corpses of the goblins that were brought back started to reassemble. Some recovered very fast whereas others took a long while.

Slowly fixing part by part I looked on in curiosity as I saw a blue glow of magic energy recovering the bodies. Pektog noticed my curiosity and he spoke to address it.

"This is what we were talking about, we cannot die," Pektog said with a weary sigh.

"We just come back but we are weakened, I dropped a level after your defeat. I have regained the level since then, but it is a consequence of death. For the stronger one's recovery is extremely long, for the weak ones it is rather quick." As Pektog spoke his face became weary, he had long since experienced the terrors of this place. His family had often fled only to be killed, he became strong to guard his people.

But even among goblins, there was combat, especially with Dahziekt. Pektog was more talented but Dahziekt would always kill him before he could level up.

If Pektog and I can kill Dahziekt, then Pektog will have enough time to level up and contend with Dahziekt by himself. So he chose to deal with the devil in form of me.

'I don't know about the possibility of him freeing us, but as long as my people are free of murder. I will naturally do as I am asked by him.' Pektog thought to himself, his thoughts were apparent to me. Because it was my intent to make him think that.

"Good then let us get moving now, I want to finish this quick."

I had already gained the info about Dahziekt's lair, he had a few powerful goblins working for him. None at the level of Pektog but hobgoblins nonetheless.

But naturally, I was prepared for extraordinary circumstances. I had the goblins rob the commoners and the nobles of their weapons and gear.

Although it wasn't at the level of the void sword or even Raynard's undead ghoul sword. But they were sufficient to give the goblins an edge, and yes quite literally giving them an edge instead of the clubs.

Had they used edge weapons, I would have died much faster. I explained to the goblins some quick fighting fundamentals. I also told them where to strike to deal damage. With their fighting experience, they learned quick as we marched to Dahziekt's lair.

I had a hobgoblin and 12 armed and experienced goblins at my beck and call. It was an intoxicating feeling, but it would be a mistake to be content with this amount of power. I hunger for much more, I want a power that looks down on all of existence.

**************************

Near the river that Raynard and Carol were relaxing in, they were stilling discussing the circumstances of goblin attack.

They wanted to collect some information before they decided to leave. But as they spoke things appeared around them, before they could notice. Raynard was cleaning his sword when a hobgoblin warrior rushed in and tried to tackle him.

With quick reflexes, Raynard rolled out of the way. But as he tried to get up an arrow came from the trees and embedded into his thigh.

Carol was watching in horror as Raynard was screaming in pain, she had been washing the blood off her skin and hair when they attacked.

She took her whip and pulled Raynard out of the way as another hobgoblin jumped in the way.

"How did they find us?" Raynard asked Carol

"I don't think they found us, I think we found them...." Carol said grimly

"Damn did we walk into a goblin den," Raynard said almost growling

"Probably...." Carol uncertainly said

"Damn this was the only direction available when the goblins broke formation. Was this the intention of the beast script being? Shit, I can't believe it he is using us." Raynard as he unsheathed his sword

'It will take another 10 minutes for them to remove us after saying the safe word. God damn, why do these medals work so slowly?' Raynard thought in anger

He was barely able to stand as he resisted the hobgoblin's various attacks. In the trees, an especially large hobgoblin in chain mail with a large scar across his left eye was eyeing the fight.

He kept looking at Raynard's sword with greed, although weapons lost in the formation wouldn't disappear in real life. If you entered the formation again you would do so without your weapon.

At this point, Raynard and Carol were fighting against 4 different hobgoblins, one archer, 2 strikers, and 1 defender. They were slowly being depleted of energy and Raynard's thigh was bleeding more and more. He didn't even get enough time to remove the arrow as he had to keep dodging with Carol.